Blayke Soares was one of 36 students from the Resiliency Preparatory School, B.M.C. Durfee High School and Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School to receive a diploma after completing their final required high school courses during a few months of summer school.

Graduates stood outside the auditorium Wednesday, excitedly helping each other fix their caps and gowns before the exercises.

During the awarding of diplomas, family and friends crowded in front of the stage to grab cellphone photos of the graduates as they shook hands with their principals.

Speakers, including Mayor Will Flanagan, kept their remarks brief.

“Your education is one of the most important things in your life. It’s going to unlock doors in ways you never even imagined,” Flanagan said, as he urged the graduates to go onto a post-secondary education.

RPS Principal Jessica Vinacco beamed when she addressed the graduates.

“I couldn’t be happier to see you in caps and gowns," Vinacco said. "You all look so, so good.”